INICIAR SESIÓNHazel’s POV“Martha, where were you the night I fell off a cliff?” I asked, my voice steady and cold as I stared down at the woman kneeling in front of me.Martha opened her mouth like she wanted to speak, but no words came out. She closed it again, her eyes shifting nervously around Nicholas’s private office. The room felt smaller than usual, the heavy wooden desk between us doing nothing to ease the thick tension hanging in the air.I leaned back in Nicholas’s large chair, studying every twitch on her face. I had chosen this office on purpose—quiet, private, away from prying ears. No one would interrupt us here. I needed the truth, and I needed it now.“I’m going to ask you again, Martha,” I said slowly, crossing my legs and fixing my gaze on her. “Where were you the night of the incident?”“I was in my room, my queen,” she answered, eyes fixed on the floor. She refused to look at me.I didn’t want to believe it. This was Martha—the woman who had taken care of me, brought me food, o
Nicholas’s POVThe command hung in the air like a threat. My wolf wanted to rip his throat out, but I knew shifting back was the smarter move right now. These weren’t ordinary people.Bones cracked and reformed as I forced the shift. Fur receded, claws turned back into fingers, and in seconds I stood before them as a man—naked, bleeding from multiple gashes, but with my head held high. My face stayed hard as stone while I stared them down. Blood trickled down my side and shoulders, but I didn’t flinch. I wouldn’t give them that satisfaction.“What are you doing in my land?” I asked, my voice filled with every ounce of authority and power I carried as king.The tall man at the front studied me with those eerie glowing green eyes. A slow, cold smile spread across his face. Water still clung to his skin like he had stepped straight out of the ocean.“I want my wife’s bastard daughter,” he said simply. “She’s one of your own. Just hand her over to me.”The words hit me like a punch to the
Nicholas’s POVThey lunged.The first rogue came fast, a dirty gray blur of teeth and claws. I didn’t waste time shifting. I grabbed him mid-air by the scruff and hurled him with everything I had. His body smashed against a thick tree trunk with a sickening crack. Leaves rained down as he hit the ground hard.But he got up. Shaking his head, blood dripping from his muzzle, he charged again like a rabid animal.The second one was already on me. I spun and drove my fist straight into his nose. Cartilage crunched under my knuckles. He flew back, howling in pain, eyes blazing with pure hatred as blood poured down his face.That was it. I had enough.A roar tore out of my throat as I let the shift rip through me. Bones snapped and reformed, fur exploded across my skin, and in seconds my massive black wolf stood in my place—bigger, stronger, and furious. All the fear for Hazel, the frustration from the water people, the sleepless nights, everything poured out in a wave of raw anger.I tore
Nicholas’s POV“Your majesty.” The sorceress Gwen said as she bowed in respect. I gave her a nod and walked straight to the couch, lowering myself into it. My body felt heavy from lack of sleep, but my mind was sharp. Gwen glanced at the door like she expected someone to follow me in. “Where’s your wife?” she asked.“I came alone,” I said simply, settling back.She turned to me with a small smile. “What?” I asked.She shook her head. “Nothing. It’s just that you’re glowing. You look happier than I’ve seen you in years.”I didn’t reply. Happiness felt dangerous right now, like something that could be snatched away any second. Gwen closed the door quietly and took the chair facing me. Her eyes studied me for a moment.“Your wife never came back after she and her friend visited to learn about her powers. I immediately knew things were okay between you both. And besides, you know I couldn’t tell her who she was because you warned me not to.”“Yeah,” I said. “But that’s not why I’m here
Hazel’s POV“Give me a name.”The words left my mouth like a whip cracking through the damp dungeon air. My voice echoed off the stone walls, cold and sharp. I stood inside the cell, towering over Benedicta, every inch of me radiating the power I now carried as queen. My wolf was wide awake, pacing just beneath my skin, ready to rip through if needed.The woman’s eyes darted around like a trapped animal. Her short black hair stuck to her sweaty forehead. She pressed herself harder against the wall as if she could melt into the stone.“I’m innocent… please,” she whimpered, voice shaking. “I didn’t do anything wrong. I swear on the Goddess.”Something inside me snapped.I moved fast, grabbing her chin in a tight grip. My fingers dug into her skin, forcing her to look straight into my eyes. She gasped, trying to pull away, but I held firm. Fear flashed across her face, raw and real.“You better tell me who it was,” I growled, my voice low and deadly, “or I swear I’ll make sure you regre
Hazel’s POVI woke up wrapped in warmth. Nicholas’s strong arms were locked tightly around me, his body pressed against my back like a protective shield. His scent…woodsy, masculine, and comforting…filled my lungs with every breath. For a moment, the horrors of yesterday felt distant. The shooting. The blood. The shadowy figures in the lightning. All of it.“Good morning, beautiful,” he whispered, his voice still rough with sleep. He kissed the back of my neck softly, then my shoulder, sending tiny sparks across my skin.I turned in his arms to face him. His eyes were soft, full of love that made my chest ache. “How are you feeling?”I didn’t know how to answer that. My mind was still a storm of fear, guilt, and questions. Instead, I gave him a small smile, hoping it would be enough.He saw right through it. Of course he did. His thumb brushed my cheek gently. “You don’t have to pretend with me.”I noticed he was already dressed in a black shirt and pants, looking every inch the power
Hazel’s Pov I had just slipped into my nightgown…thin white silk that skimmed my thighs and left my shoulders bare when the knock came.I walked to the door barefoot, the hem of the nightgown whispering against my calves.It was probably Martha.I opened the door.And froze.Nicholas stood in the
Nicholas’s POV“I don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about.”The words came out low, dangerous, every syllable edged with warning.Dimitri didn’t back down an inch.“Stop pretending,” he said, voice steady even though his eyes were burning. “Everyone knows you wanted Hazel out of the picture s
Hazel’s POVBefore I could stop myself, my feet moved.I ran.Straight into him.My arms wrapped around his neck so tight I probably hurt him, but I didn’t care. I buried my face in his shoulder, breathing in the familiar smell of clean soap and that cologne he always wore because he said it made h
Nicholas’s POV“Baby, when are you going to kick that woman out?”Liora’s voice sliced through the air like a whip, pulling me back from the fog in my head. I was still standing there in the middle of the room, boxers hanging low on my hips, staring at the door Hazel had just sauntered through like







